Tips for going to a Jamboree
The jamboree is a one in a lifetime experience so you have to live to its best. From my experience, everything is pretty simple and everything, EVERYTHING even if it seems the most boring thing on the world is awesome. In case you’re wondering whether to go to a Word Scout Jamboree or you’ve made you decision, here are some tips for you.
– When wondering weather to go or not to the upcoming jamboree, make sure that’s the right international scouting event for you. The fees should be affordable, the place ideal, you in place where that’s what you want to do and most importantly you should be ready to take every change offered to you. Don’t worry so much about the fees though, there are so many things you can do for fundraising and some contingents may cover part or full of the cost for some members.
– It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything from your contingent in advance. You’ll get to know them in your contingent meetings and you’ll also meet a great number of people on site.
–Accept any offer for programs. We for example didn’t know what global ambassadors were ’cause we were the first one but it turned out as one of the best things i’ve ever done. There was an mun as well that you could take part in, no one knows what’s coming up next.
– Waitlines are something that should be respected. Don’t be afraid of them, they are one of the best things on site, you meet so many people, you sing,play,dance and you never know what may happen while waiting.
–Eat well and take care of yourself. You don’t want to become sick,dehydrated,injure yourself or anything else that won’t allow you to take part in tha activities. In the unfortunate event that something happens to you don’t worry, the medical team has you covered and pretty nice things happen in the medical tents as well.
–Take advantage of anything that comes up. Either you meet someone from a religion you always wanted to ask something about, you see someone dancing, singing, playing or whatever, don’t just sit in the side and watch. Get up, ask, sing along, dance, participate. Everyone is happy and willing to answer and help you participate in what they are doing.
–Be aware of small big things happening. We had the chance to see the governor of West Virginia, speak with an astronaut, interview a refugee boy now living in Finland and many more things that you should just know they were happening to attend. No one is going to tell you what is around ’cause no one knows everything so be aware, and take part in anything you like.
–On the cultural day, be prepared to walk and taste a lot. Go visit as many units as you can. Awesome things happen this day, go explore and find as many as you can.
– Don’t waste time being shy. YOU DON’T HAVE TIME, you most probably won’t see the person you’re walking with again so take advantage of the time you have with them. At some point i ended up talking about the Greek economy with a guy from Brazil.
–Say thank you and welcome. Generally be kind, the jamboree and everything in it takes a lot of time and effort to be made so make sure to let everyone know you respect that also no one made the person next to you to answer your question, they did because they wanted and thank them for that.
– Take some time for yourself. Everyday so many things happen and you just have to take some time to understand what’s going on,what you like or not.Also make sure you talk to someone that can help you if you have any problem. Your leader, buddy, new friend are always there for you and there is always the option of listening ear.
–Don’t regret anything, it doesn’t have a point. You can try to change it, make it better or so but regretting doesn’t lead to anything but you being sad.
– Make sure you leave some extra space at your bag.You will bring a lot of souvenirs back home you didn’t even had to pay for, trust me. Also take stuff to trade, not only neckers and patches, take souvenirs and anything you might find beautiful for someone to have from your country.
You can always contact anyone that went to a jamboree for their experience or tips, and i will happily answer to your message, e-mail or anything if you want any help (you can find my contact details in Greece’s page on the GA main page)
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